Closing Bell: Bed Bugs, From a Landlord's Perspective
Over on the Red Hook Waterfront blog, Gregory O’Connell Jr. has a post about the scourge of bed bugs from a landlord’s point of view. His point is that while landlords are often/usually/always blamed for infestations, tenant responsibility is typically overlooked. Here’s a snippet: “In 2009, New York City adopted Local Law 14, which created…
Over on the Red Hook Waterfront blog, Gregory O’Connell Jr. has a post about the scourge of bed bugs from a landlord’s point of view. His point is that while landlords are often/usually/always blamed for infestations, tenant responsibility is typically overlooked. Here’s a snippet: “In 2009, New York City adopted Local Law 14, which created a “Bed Bug Advisory Board” to guide the city in addressing bed bug infestations. This advisory board made “Recommendations for the Management of Bed Bugs in New York City” [PDF] in April of 2010. Please feel free to view this file. The recommendations made throughout seem logical and if implemented would, dare I say, improve this situation which has rendered LANDLORDS defenseless against “Bed Bug” outbreaks within their buildings. …The issues that need to be taken seriously by those with control over the regulation of “Bed Bug” matters are…. what happens when the TENANT is negligent? What happens when the TENANT is uncooperative and does not allow the LANDLORD to properly expedite the issue and treat the problem? What happens if the TENANT never notifies the LANDLORD of the infestation? What if the TENANT does not follow proper procedure in order to remove the infestation? At what point does the LANDLORD stop assuming responsibility? If “Bed Bugs” can infest any area and travel over extreme distances on someone’s person, why is it automatically the LANDLORD’s fault that they exist in that LANDLORD’s building? How can a LANDLORD basically force a TENANT to live a certain way/notify/allow access/throw things out etc. etc. without any sort of consequence or defense?” Any readers who are also landlords care to weigh in?
The “War on Bedbugs”: From the Landlord’s Perspective [Red Hook Waterfront]
Photo by Shira Golding
Oh yes, I just scanned the report. There is an abundance of useful information in it. Greg Jr. would be wise to read it himself.
Oh yes, I just scanned the report. There is an abundance of useful information in it. Greg Jr. would be wise to read it himself.
Keep it coming, Maura. Keep it coming.
Keep it coming, Maura. Keep it coming.
Read the report.
I’ve never owned a building, but that doesn’t matter. Greg states in his post that bedbugs ruin buildings, and that is simply untrue. It’s easy to tell from his writing style- putting “bedbugs” in quotes and capitalizing “landlord” and “tenant” over and over that he’s being dramatic. While it might be frustrating from a landlord’s standpoint, a more thoughtful post would be appreciated.
This line really gets me: “The stigma of the “Negligent Landlord” is so engrained in NYC Housing Courts and amongst public opinion so it is not much of a surprise that legislation has failed to once again, account for the rights of the building owner.” I would argue that landlords have a bad reputation for good reason. In all my years of renting, I have had two decent landlords. All the rest ignored requests for repairs pretty much as a rule. Same goes for most of my friends.
There is a tremendous amount of hype regarding bedbugs that is just plain freaking people out. I don’t think Greg’s post is helping one bit. We need some common sense dialogue, in which people understand the true nature of bedbugs. Not a biased post written by a landlord.
I’ve never owned a building, but that doesn’t matter. Greg states in his post that bedbugs ruin buildings, and that is simply untrue. It’s easy to tell from his writing style- putting “bedbugs” in quotes and capitalizing “landlord” and “tenant” over and over that he’s being dramatic. While it might be frustrating from a landlord’s standpoint, a more thoughtful post would be appreciated.
This line really gets me: “The stigma of the “Negligent Landlord” is so engrained in NYC Housing Courts and amongst public opinion so it is not much of a surprise that legislation has failed to once again, account for the rights of the building owner.” I would argue that landlords have a bad reputation for good reason. In all my years of renting, I have had two decent landlords. All the rest ignored requests for repairs pretty much as a rule. Same goes for most of my friends.
There is a tremendous amount of hype regarding bedbugs that is just plain freaking people out. I don’t think Greg’s post is helping one bit. We need some common sense dialogue, in which people understand the true nature of bedbugs. Not a biased post written by a landlord.
Greg–
Having a tenant-side practice focused on the elderly, disabled, and mentally ill, I would suggest that some tenants who have issues with bedbug treatment compliance also often have larger issues in their lives. If you a in housing court, ask the judge whether the appointment of a Guardian ad Litem (GAL) would be appropriate. Sometimes ther are hoarding issues. Sometimes it’s a matter of not being physically or financially able to comply with cleaning requirements. Add to that the general skepticism long-term rent stabilized tenants have with their landlord and you have a recipe for stalemate. There are ways to negotiate this with a tenant. This is the right time for a social work professional and to consider offering to pay for assistance that the tenant will feel safe accepting and will accomplish the overall building health and safety goals. Normal people treat bedbugs, tenant or landlord. People who don’t need special help.
Greg–
Having a tenant-side practice focused on the elderly, disabled, and mentally ill, I would suggest that some tenants who have issues with bedbug treatment compliance also often have larger issues in their lives. If you a in housing court, ask the judge whether the appointment of a Guardian ad Litem (GAL) would be appropriate. Sometimes ther are hoarding issues. Sometimes it’s a matter of not being physically or financially able to comply with cleaning requirements. Add to that the general skepticism long-term rent stabilized tenants have with their landlord and you have a recipe for stalemate. There are ways to negotiate this with a tenant. This is the right time for a social work professional and to consider offering to pay for assistance that the tenant will feel safe accepting and will accomplish the overall building health and safety goals. Normal people treat bedbugs, tenant or landlord. People who don’t need special help.